The Western Cape is set for another bumper summer-tourist season this year, according to Dr Ivan Meyer, MEC for Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism.
He was speaking at the province’s third annual Summer Tourism Readiness Dialogue, held recently. It brought stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industries, and the diplomatic corps together as well as role-players involved in safety, emergency services and disaster management to solidify plans to ensure visitors’ safety.
“Visitor safety is the foundation of tourism,” Meyer said, “and I am pleased to report there has been significant progress made over the past year in bringing various stakeholders together to implement practical solutions to some of the risks visitors may sometimes face.”
This comes from an impressive 11% year-to-date growth in two-way passengers passing through the international terminal at Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) and a 7% year-to-date growth in domestic passenger movements. Meyer stated that 27 airlines will service the airport during summer, connecting Cape Town to 31 destinations on 38 routes. He said the Western Cape has never been as well connected with major international tourism markets as it currently is.
Safety is a top priority for the Western Cape Government. According to Meyer the province is guided by the Provincial Tourism Safety Strategy and the coordination of activities between his department and other stakeholders involved in safety, disaster management and emergency services.
The minister briefed the event on his department’s initiatives, which include a tourism law-enforcement unit, the only one of its kind in the country. This is a joint initiative of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) and the City of Cape Town. The unit is deployed at some of the city’s top tourist attractions and provides visible policing and assistance to tourists and members of the public.
Other initiatives include awareness campaigns to emphasise practical measures visitors can take on the road, in public spaces or hiking. In addition to these measures, DEDAT and Cape Town Tourism are implementing programmes that ensure visitors have professional support available.
Meyer asked what he sees as some of the most significant visitor safety risks. He said that tourists must also play their part and act responsibly when visiting sites such as Table Mountain National Park. “We are encouraged by recent initiatives, including the formalisation of the Volunteer Safety Services, which will allow for greater coordination between SANParks and volunteer organisations active in the park. I am also pleased the Table Mountain Safety Forum has been resurrected. We will support SANParks and the City of Cape Town to ensure visitors are warned about potential dangers, that more human resources are deployed on the mountain and improve wayfinding and signage.”
The minister is particularly optimistic about the upcoming tourism season, given efforts by the Department of Home Affairs to make it easier for tourists from high-growth markets, such as China and India to visit. The Western Cape is also well-placed to capitalise on the recent introduction of a digital nomad visa.
“Our lobbying efforts are bearing fruit, and I am happy to report that the Western Cape Government is making additional submissions to the Minister of Home Affairs regarding how his department can implement further reforms,” Meyer added.
